Warning to dog owners over fouling

A clampdown has been launched on irresponsible dog owners who let their pets foul in Chorley.

Council neighbourhood officers and PCSOs are hot on the heels of nuisance owners who are refusing to pick up their dog’s mess.

Chorley Council has already issued six fixed penalty notices after having 79 reports of dog fouling this year.

Non-payment of the £75 fine can lead to court action.

Hot spot areas include many of the park and play areas in Chorley.

Coun Paul Walmsley, who tackles dog fouling for Chorley Council, said: “We work very closely with our PCSO colleagues to clamp down on dog fouling because it is clearly something our residents tell us is a real problem.

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible and do clean up after their pets. It is just a few extremely selfish and irresponsible ones who allow their dogs to foul and don’t clean it up.

“There also seems to be some who bag the waste, but then just dump it. This, too, is an offence and they can be fined. There really is no excuse, all our waste bins – 1,400 of them across the borough – take dog waste as well as litter.”

Council officers and PCSOs have been handing out leaflets, as well as dog waste bags, in prime hot spot areas when on patrol.

Sgt Lana Palmer-Davies, of Chorley Police, said: “If the mess is on a footpath or in the woodland, it needs to be picked up. We want to send out a clear message that we take a zero tolerance policy.”